Annual Report 2010-2011 (PDF - 2.47 mb) - Royal Botanic Gardens ...

Contents
OUR achievements – Strategic Priority 3A
Business Plan specific outcomes
(and associated Corporate Plan actions)
Progress against specific outcomes
and actions
Specific Outcome 42 cont
b. continuing to undertake scientific research to
monitor RBG Melbourne rainfall and vegetation
throughfall (rain amount reaching ground surface)
in partnership with the School of Geographic and
Environmental Sciences, Monash University
c. completing and implementing the Royal Botanic
Gardens Biosecurity Plan, a framework for the
strategic management of biosecurity, in order to
reduce the risk of exotic pest incursions and to
adopt a common approach to border quarantine
for the Royal Botanic Gardens
d. initiating field trials to identify sustainable
management of water-repellent landscape
soils at RBG Melbourne
e. developing and implementing a landscape
plant selection protocol for landscape transition
in an environment of increased temperatures.
This will provide a consistent approach in plant
selection and maintain the heritage landscape
style during rising temperature regimes.
b. More suitable microclimates for specific plants in
the Living Collections and improved efficiency of
irrigation misting systems were identified as a
result of research into relative humidity and
temperatures on-site at RBG Melbourne,
allowing horticulturists to apply more targeted
management of specific collections and plants.
(See also Goal 2, Specific Outcome 21b.)
c. In line with established biosecurity practices,
the advent of a Myrtle Rust (see Specific Outcome
66) outbreak along the east coast of Australia saw
the formation of a Royal Botanic Gardens Working
Group and the development and implementation
of protocols to manage the risk of an outbreak in
Victoria. Other pathogen risks managed included
Phytophthora spp.
d. Soil moisture measurements recorded as a result
of field trials helped inform irrigation scheduling
improvements and the concept of banking subsoil
moisture.
e. At RBG Cranbourne, plant selection for the
Australian Garden Stage 2 project continued to
focus on plant water requirements and matching
plant types to local growing conditions. Among
the plants selected were 4,000 Banksia
blechnifolia, which were planted out in the Front
Entry Precinct. When established, these plants will
provide a visual impact at the main entry precinct
to the Australian Garden and require minimal
irrigation to sustain them.
At RBG Melbourne, Horticulture branch staff
identified 75 important plant species considered to
be threatened by climate change. Investigations
began into their climatic preferences with the aim of
improving their growing conditions through either
relocation on-site or, alternatively propagating and
transferring them to another botanic garden with
more suitable growing conditions.
A discussion paper and resource pack were
completed to assist with decision-making for
landscape planning and plant selection. In
November 2010, a paper titled ‘Horticulture for a
changing climate, perspectives on collections
planning and implementation’ was presented at
the Botanic Gardens Australia New Zealand
(BGANZ) Victoria Plants Forum in Sale, Victoria.
Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria Annual Report 2010–11 page 83